The Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations has proven its important role as an advisor to the Party since its establishment 65 years ago.

Former Secretary of the PCC (Party Central Committee) and former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan acknowledged the commission in his article published on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Commission’s Traditional Day (November 1st, 1949-2014).

According to Khoan, in the context of the difficulties and challenges the newly-born Democratic Republic of Vietnam faced, including hunger, illiteracy and national security threats, the PCC Standing Committee decided to set up the Working Group on Cambodia and Laos, the forerunner of the Commission for External Relations, which was in charge of the Party’s foreign relations, especially with neighbouring Cambodia and Laos.

Former Deputy PM Vu Khoan. Photo: VNA

In the early 1950s, the role of the Party’s foreign relations grew when the Soviet Union, China and a number of Eastern European socialist countries recognised Vietnam as an independent country. Via the channel of foreign relations, Party leadership greatly contributed to the country’s success in the negotiations of the 1954 Geneva Accords.

From 1955 onwards, the board was entrusted with bigger responsibilities and tasks, helping the PCC research and follow the developments in fraternal countries to learn from their experiences in carrying out a proletarian revolution and building socialism.

During the war of resistance against the US, the main task of the commission was to implement the Party’s policies on external relations, coordinate with and support Laos and Cambodia, while maintaining ties with the national liberation movements in Asian, African and Latin American countries.

Khoan concluded that from its inception until national unification in 1975, the commission played an active role in attracting global support and assistance for the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national independence, sovereignty and territorial integration; as well as the fight against the embargo of the US and other states.

It also contributed to consolidating relations with Laos, ending the genocide in Cambodia, and enhancing ties with the Soviet Union, socialist countries, communist and workers’ parties, and revolutionary and progressive forces around the world, he added.

The former Party official went on to say that during the process of renewal and international integration from 1986 onwards, the commission closely cooperated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies in the political system to actively implement the Party’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and the diversification and multilateralisation of relations.

Its activities have greatly contributed to the positive changes in Vietnam, continuously improving the country’s international standing and expanding the Party’s external relations, he stressed.

In order to improve its functions and tasks, Khoan said the commission should research development trends, thus giving sound and timely advice to Party leaders.

The agency needs to diversify its relations with political parties around the globe and adjust them in accordance with the targets set for each period, he said, adding that the agency should provide guidance on the coordination of foreign relations of the Fatherland Front, and socio-political and mass organizations.

He also emphasised the need for the commission to improve the quality of forecasts on international and regional situation, and continuously perfect its organizational apparatus and staff capacity.

Source: VNA